Wigan Athletic facing fixture backlog after Bristol game called off

Referee Steve Martin made the “absolute no-brainer” decision after a lunchtime inspection.

It leaves Paul Cook contemplating yet another game to squeeze into their hectic League One schedule over the next two months.

Due to previous postponements, third-placed Latics already have three games in hand on League One pace-setters Blackburn – who play tonight – and second-placed Shrewsbury.

They are already staring at six games in March and seven in April - and that is without accounting for the two matches they need to squeeze into their run-in.

As well as this away game at Bristol which will need to be rearranged, Latics have to find a date for their trip to Walsall, which was scheduled for March 17 - the weekend Cook’s men are in FA Cup action against Southampton.

If they draw that quarter-final against the Premier League outfit, a replay will be needed.

Bristol Rovers had the pitch covered to try and ensure tonight’s game goes ahead, but referee Martin made the early call before visiting fans would have had to set off.

“Unfortunately with the forecast and the present conditions it was an absolute no-braner, the whole pitch was frozen,” he said.

“There aren’t even places where you think there’s a chance. It’s frozen, it would be dangerous for the players.

“It wouldn’t have been a good spectacle, and forecast for this evening is only for it to get worse.

“Later it will be minus three, so unfortunately it’s off.”